Part II - Nicholson Family
Edmund Nicholson, born about 1612, in England.
Edmund was married in 1636/7 in England to Elizabeth Simson, (Simpson) who was born about 1616, in County Devon, England, daughter of John Simson.
In many places, it has been written that they came to America from Bootle, Cumberland, England, possibly as early as 1644. However, there were two Joseph Nicholsons in the records. One was clearly born in Bootle and had a wife and 8 children; but it is generally agreed that he was not the one who was son of Edmund. Although it seems reasonable to think that Edmund came from the same place as his wife and her brother, neither place has been proved or disproved.
Edmund is first recorded at Marblehead, Massachusetts, in 1646, when he bought a 10 acre farm share in William Hawthorn's Plain Farm. Elizabeth's brother, Francis Simson, also bought 10 acres. They are presumed to have lived together. Edmund's eldest son, Christopher, received a small bequest from the estate of George Pollard, that year. They probably came to America in the company with her brother, Francis Simson, born 1610.
It is thought that Francis never married, but made his home with his sister and family. He was of some prominence in Marblehead, and appointed constable in December 1649. However, he was interested in the Quaker movement and was brought into court at least three times concerning his activities with the Quakers, and fined. He finally moved to Rhode Island to escape persecution. He died before 17 June 1672, when his estate was bequeathed to his sister's children.
The brothers-in-law owned property together and had various business dealings together. Edmund Nicholson was a fisherman. Edmund was not a Quaker, although his wife, Elizabeth, had certain leaning toward the religion and she was brought into court at least three times.
Edmund drowned in 1660, sometime between 4 June, when he appeared in court, and 27 November, when Elizabeth Nicholson, his wife, and Christopher Nicholson, his son, were appointed to administer his estate which was valued at 150 pounds, with 54 pounds in debts. It was ordered that 10 pounds be paid to each of the six children when he reached 21 years of age, or married with the consent of their mother.
His estate consisted in part, of the following:
Elizabeth and her two sons were accused of causing the drowning of her husband. Henry Howland Crapo, a descendant of Joseph Nicholson (not son of Edmund), quotes the following in his "Certain Comeoverers."
Crapo says this fixes the date as in the early part of 1658. Savage in his "Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England" says that it is presumed Edmund Nicholson died in 1660, as his inventory was taken on 22 November of that year and was presented 6 days later by Elizabeth Nicholson, his widow. In "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines," Mrs. Ferris gives the definite dates listed above.
Elizabeth Nicholson was married/2 to Mr. Browne sometime after 24 September 1662 and before 1664. She was living on 24 June 1673, when she and her two sons, Joseph and Samuel, sued Capt. James Smith in reference to land purchased by Edmund Nicholson and Francis Simson before 1651. (See Phelps Family, the Story of Hannah Baskel- Part IV ) (See)
Children:
North Carolina Quakerism had its beginning, toward the end of the seventeenth century, in the precincts of Perquimans and Pasquotank. A full account of this beginning is given by Dr. Stephen B. Weeks, in Chapters 3 and 4, of "Southern Quakers and Slavery." Refer also to "The Albemarle in 1682-1705," and Pasquotank Historical Society Yearbook, Vol. II, p 19)
The earliest existing records of a monthly meeting in Perquimans County begin with 1680. In that year Christopher Nicholson (1) and Ann Atwood were married in a meeting at the home of Francis Toms. Witnesses included William Bundy. Bundy and Mary (Scott) Pierce were married 15d, 10m, in 1683, at the house of Mary Pierce. Witnesses included, Christopher Nicholson, William Bundy.
Prior to 1690, most of the meetings appear to have been held at the house of Jonathan Phelps and Christopher Nicholson. (See Phelps Family, Part IV). Between 1690 and 1700, they were more frequently held at the house of Francis Toms, indicating that there were two monthly meetings and a quarterly meeting. In 1717, weekday meetings were directed to be held at the houses of Timothy Clare and Samuel Nicholson. (See Winslow family)
About the end of the 18th Century, there began a great migration to the middle west which reduced the strength of all meetings in North Carolina.
Christopher Nicholson I, son of Edmund Nicholson and Elizabeth Simson, was probably born in Bootle, Cumberland, England, about 1638, and came with his Pardee about 1644, to Marblehead, Massachusetts.
He was married 22 October 1662, in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, to Hannah Rednap, born about 1642, daughter of Joseph Rednap. (See Rednap Family, Part II)
They had arrived in Albemarle Sound, Carolina, by 1663, (See Phelps Family-the Hannah Baskel Story, Part IV) and they were at Perquimans Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, when Hannah died on 2 December 1678, six days after the birth of Benjamin, her 7th child.
Christopher was married/2 11 April 1680 to Ann Atwood, born about 1660, daughter of Thomas Atwood, of Middlesex, England, at the house of Francis Toms. Theirs was the first marriage entry in the minutes of Perquimans Monthly Meeting.
He died 8 or 10 September 1688. Ann was married again 26 June 1690 to Richard Dorman, by whom she had a daughter, Ann Dorman, born 30 March 1695.
Ann was married/3 to Richard Cheston Cooper of Albemarle County, North Carolina.
After their mother was remarried, in the Perquimans Court held 1 September 1690, Joseph Nicholson asked for himself and brothers, John and Nathaniel, that they be permitted to choose guardians. Joseph and Nathaniel chose their brother Samuel, and John chose John Gosby, his brother-in-law. At this time, property (presumably their father's) was divided.
Ann Atwood was mentioned 22 October 1715 in will of her 3/husband. Her will was signed 16 November 1743, and proved 15 May 1744.
Due to early and late marriages, and to position of the ancestor in the family (first or last born,) both Christopher Nicholson and Samuel Nicholson, his son, are each "his own grandpa," or at least finds himself in the same generation with his own father and grandfather.
Children:
Samuel Nicholson, son of Christopher Nicholson and Hannah Rednap, was born 12 March 1665, Lynn, Massachusetts. ("Trueblood Family in America" gives his birthday as 1-12-1665)
He grew up in Perquimans County, North Carolina, and was married there 16 December 1688, in Quarterly Meeting, to Elizabeth Charles, who was born 8 January 1661, daughter of William Charles and Abigail Balie. (See Charles Family, Part II)
Samuel was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1709. He died 29 March 1728, his will being dated 22 1m 1727/8.
Elizabeth was married/2 10 June 1729 to Zachariah Nixon and died before January Court 1748.
The children were all born in Perquimans County.
Children:
Christopher Nicholson (2), son of Christopher Nicholson (1) and Ann Atwood, was born 2 November 1685, in Perquimans County, North Carolina.
He was married 12 November 1707 to Mary Pool, born 15 10m 1683, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, daughter of Solomon Poole and Margaret White.
Christopher died 23 March 1723, and Mary was married/2 on 7 August 1723, to William Bundy (See Bundy Family, Part IV)
Children:
Elizabeth Nicholson, daughter of Samuel Nicholson and Elizabeth Charles, was born 15 January 1697, in Perquimans County North Carolina.
She was married 28d 3m 1719, Lower Meeting House, to John Anderson, who was born, 7 December 1694, Berkley Parish, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
Elizabeth died after October 1751 (Deed Bk F #44, dated October 19, 1751, "Eliz. Albertson") John died 24 December 1733.
The children were all born in Perquimans County.
Children:
Thomas Nicholson (3), son of Christopher Nicholson (2) and Mary Pool, was born 1 June 1715.
He was married/1 on 18 2m 1733 to Mary Hill, who died 27d 11m 1770, daughter of William Hill and Mary Spivey, who was the daughter of Thomas Spivey. She died 1770/2). Thomas was married/2 to Sarah Smith, daughter of John Smith and Rachel White. Sarah was the widow of Thomas Nixon, whom she had married 30 March 1768. (See Nixon Family, Part II) Sarah died 30 May 1787. Thomas Nicholson died 3,4,1780.Children:
Joseph Anderson, son of Elizabeth Nicholson and John Anderson, was born 25 February 1723, in Perquimans County, North Carolina.
He was married/1 on 1 February 1747, in Perquimans County, North Carolina, to Miriam Winslow, born 31 August 1728, Perquimans County.
He was married/2 on 5 October 1750, in Perquimans County, to Elizabeth Phelps, who was born 29 August 1728 (Overwritten 1729), in Perquimans County, died Perquimans County, daughter of Jonathan Phelps III and Elizabeth Toms. (See Phelps Family, Part IV)
Children:
Jane Anderson, daughter of Elizabeth Nicholson and John Anderson, was born 9 September 1726, in Perquimans County, North Carolina.
She was married 6 December 1744, in Perquimans County, to Elihu Albertson.
Children:
Christopher Nicholson (3), son of Thomas Nicholson (3) and Mary Hill, was born 28 February 1733/4.
He was given permission 1 March 1753 to marry Susannah Morris, daughter of Aaron Morris and Mary Pritchard. (See Morris & Pritchard Families, Part IV)
He was married/2 5 on October 1758 to Mary Henley, who was born 7d ?m 1736, daughter of John Henley and Mary Jordan (See Henley Family, Part VIII). This marriage date perhaps should be 1767/8. They had 6 children between 1769-1783.
Children:
Joseph Nicholson, son of Thomas Nicholson (3) and Mary Hill, was born 15 April 1736.
He was married 2 July 1755 to C-3. Mehetabell Nixon, who was born 15 November 1738, daughter of Zachariah Nixon (4) and Elizabeth Nicholson. (See Nixon Family, Part II)
Mehetabell probably died before 1769.
Joseph was married/2 on 23 June 1771, to Rebecca (Symons) Low, (widow of John Low) who was born 9-26-1748, daughter of Peter Symons and Mary Mace.
Joseph died 6 November 1772, and Rebecca was married/3 to Nathan Pearson.
Children:
Nicholas Nicholson, son of Thomas Nicholson (3) and Mary Hill, was born 7 June 1741.
He was married 1 December 1762 to Sarah White, born 10-7-1742, died 22 April 1800, daughter of Thomas White and Rachel Jordan (See White Family, Part II)
Children:
Thomas Nicholson (5), son of Christopher Nicholson (3) and Susannah Morris, was born 3 March 1754.
He was married/1 25 June 1780, to Mary Griffin, daughter of Joseph Griffin. Mary died 16 April 1785.
He was married/2 19 March 1800, to Sarah Symon, who died 16 April 1807.
Children:
Bibliography
Certain Comeoverers, by Henry Howland Crapo, Vol. 1, Pennsylvaniage 397, E. Anthony & Sons, Inc.,New Bedford, Mass (1912)
Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, by Mary Walton Ferris, Vol.2, pp 595-603
Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, p 139, John Osborne Austin, Joel Munsell's Sons, Albany, N. Y. (1887)
Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, 4 Vol, James Savage, Boston (1860-1862)
Southern Quakers and Slavery, Chap. 3, 4; by Dr. Stephen B. Weeks
The Albemarle in 1682-1705, by Walter Paul Wood
Pasquotank Historical Soc. Yearbook, Vol. II, p 19)
North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register, 3 Vol, (1900-) Vol 1, p 366; Vol 3, p 364
The Johnson Family of Isle of Wight, Va. (and later Indiana) , p 7, 2nd Edition, 1968, by Eddis Johnson, 840 East Columbus St, Martinsville, Indiana, 46151
Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol 1, W. W. Hinshaw
History of Perquimans County, by Winslow
One Ladd's Family, by Ruth Cline Ladd
The Founding of Marblehead, 1984 Thomas E. Gray, 8 Oak St., Marblehead
Records of Thelma L. Murphy, 4832 Graywood Ave, Long Beach, California